Attorney General Kris Mayes and the Better Business Bureau issued a warning on Apr. 17 about romance scams targeting Arizonans, emphasizing that this type of fraud results in significant financial losses for victims.
Romance scams are a growing concern because they often lead to substantial monetary loss and emotional distress. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office provides advocacy and protection for residents across the state, according to the official website.
“These scammers are skilled manipulators who prey on people looking for connection and companionship,” said Attorney General Kris Mayes. “They steal not just money but trust and peace of mind. If someone you’ve never met in person asks you to send money, stop and report it.” Three recent complaints involved individuals losing a combined $155,000 after being contacted by people claiming to be professionals or military personnel living overseas. In one case, a Scottsdale woman lost $55,000 after sending funds through a cash app to someone she met online who claimed he was living in Syria.
Joe Ducey of the Better Business Bureau said, “Romance scams are among the most financially devastating frauds we track, and they’re heartbreaking because victims often don’t realize what’s happened until it’s too late. We want Arizonans to know the warning signs so they can protect themselves and the people they love.” Warning signs include being contacted out of the blue by strangers online who quickly turn conversations intimate before requesting money through difficult-to-trace methods such as wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office serves as Arizona’s chief legal office with statewide responsibilities for legal and protective services according to its official website. It addresses issues such as elder abuse, civil rights violations, unsolved crimes through its cold case unit, participates in federal action lawsuits, supports fair housing initiatives, accountability measures for social media companies, and delivers comprehensive legal services statewide according to its official website.
Kris Mayes is recognized as Arizona’s 27th attorney general and is noted as the first mother to hold this position according to information from the official website.
Residents who believe they have been targeted by consumer fraud can file complaints via the Attorney General’s website or contact regional offices directly. Scam reports can also be submitted using BBB’s Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker.
